2001-01-01

Parmer Jury Indicts Man In Murder

FRIONA - A Parmer County grand jury Thursday indicted Frank Mendez, Jr. for murder in connection with a New Year's Day death, Friona Police Chief Scott Given said Monday.

Mendez, 44, is accused in the death of his live in girlfriend Sandra Jenkins. Jenkins, 24, died January 1 from a puncture wound following an apparent fight at her apartment. Police were called to the Cottonwood Apartments in the 1300 block of Walnut Ave about 2:15 am on a domestic disturbance call.

Upon arrival, police found Jenkins alive on a couch, Givens said previously. Jenkins was transported to Hereford Regional Medical Center, where she died around 4 am.

The homicide was Friona's first since 1988.

Mendez was in custody at the Parmer County Jail on Monday. Mendez is also in custody because he had an outstanding warrant for a parole violation, called a "blue warrant," according to Given.